‘Shrubzilla’ Roars Back to Life: England’s Giant Rhododendron Stuns with Spectacular Bloom
In a remarkable display of resilience, England’s largest rhododendron has burst into vibrant bloom, defying the odds after enduring a scorching dry summer. This colossal plant, affectionately nicknamed ‘Shrubzilla’ by its caretakers, has returned in all its glory, a testament to the beneficial warm and wet winter that followed a period of extreme dehydration. The spectacular early flowering of its vibrant red and pink blossoms is now gracing the grounds of the South Lodge Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, drawing admiration from guests and horticultural enthusiasts alike.
A Record-Breaking Botanical Marvel
This isn’t just any rhododendron; it’s a titan of the plant world. Head gardener Paul Collins, who has lovingly tended to the specimen for the past 13 years, has christened it ‘The Big Rhodey’. His measurements reveal a staggering scale: a length exceeding 38 metres, a width of 24 metres, and a towering height of 10 metres. To put this into perspective, a typical rhododendron rarely grows beyond six feet in height. This particular arboreum smithii, also known as the Old Cornish rhododendron species, was planted approximately 120 years ago by the renowned Victorian explorer Frederick Du Cane Godman, a keen horticulturalist.
Mr. Collins, a seasoned gardener from Horsham, oversees the care of this magnificent specimen with a team of five other gardeners. He expresses contentment with its current state, stating, “It is quite happy at the moment.”
From Drought to Delight: A Tale of Recovery
The past summer presented a significant challenge for ‘The Big Rhodey’. “The dry summer it didn’t like. It was looking quite dehydrated,” Mr. Collins recalls. However, the subsequent winter proved to be a crucial turning point. “Rhododendrons love moisture, so a warm, wet winter has been good for it,” he explains. This favourable weather pattern has encouraged “thick growth all the way around the bush.”
While Mr. Collins notes that the plant might not have produced quite as many flowers as in the previous year – a period that experienced a late frost – the sheer scale and vigour of the current bloom are undeniable. “It has done better than last year, flower-wise,” he confirms, attributing this to the consistently warm and wet conditions this spring, which are ideal for rhododendron health.
A Magnet for Admirers
The sheer size and beauty of ‘Shrubzilla’ have made it a significant attraction at the South Lodge Hotel. Mr. Collins reports that hotel guests and visitors frequently express their awe at the colossal plant. The allure of this botanical giant extends beyond local admiration, with Mr. Collins sharing that “they have even had a couple fly over from Holland just to see it in bloom.”
The Legacy of Frederick Du Cane Godman
The story of this extraordinary rhododendron is intertwined with the legacy of Frederick Du Cane Godman. A Cambridge scholar with a profound passion for horticulture, Godman planted the bush shortly after his family acquired the hotel and its extensive grounds in 1883. His fascination with the natural world led him on extensive travels across the globe.
During his expeditions, Godman, alongside his second wife Dame Alice, meticulously compiled a natural history classification encompassing over 50,000 species. Their extensive collections included a remarkable array of rare orchids, alpine plants, and magnolias, showcasing their dedication to botanical exploration and preservation. The ‘Shrubzilla’ rhododendron stands as a living testament to his adventurous spirit and his enduring contribution to the world of horticulture. Its impressive resurgence serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s capacity for recovery and the captivating beauty that can emerge from even the most challenging conditions.
